US OPEN

August 25, 2025

Renata Zarazua

Press Conference

R. ZARAZUA/M. Keys

6-7, 7-6, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. If you would, your thoughts on your performance this afternoon.

RENATA ZARAZUA: Yeah, I'm just very happy. I think it hasn't really kicked in yet, but yeah, I guess I'm just really excited, honestly.

It was great being out there for, like, three hours or so. Yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Can I ask about the experience of playing out there and how you were able to sort of control the nerves of the situation and play so well for so long.

RENATA ZARAZUA: Yeah, I mean, I was really nervous coming in. I think the few minutes right before you go on court, it's probably the worst moments.

But in a way, I feel like the experiences of playing in the other stadiums at the other slams kind of helped me a lot today. I was just, you know, like, obviously I didn't want the nerves to be what let me down in the match. I thought I was playing really well the past few days and practicing well, so I was like I've just got to find a way to use that in my advantage.

Yeah, the fear, the nerves, all of that, just tried to leave them on the side and just focus on my game and what I had to do.

Q. Congratulations. Wondering what were your first impressions walking out there into that stadium? Had you been in Ashe before, either to hit or to watch somebody else play?

RENATA ZARAZUA: Yeah. I mean, the court is huge. I was able to practice there three days ago or two days ago.

Yeah, just the first few rallies, it was, like, Oh, my gosh, this court is really super big. I really like how it plays, a little bit slower than some of the outside courts. So I liked that, because I knew it was going to help me a bit, like, having one or two extra seconds when Madison was hitting, like, hard as she hits.

But yeah, I was able to practice there once, so that was really helpful, definitely.

Q. I'm wondering about your tennis background. How did you start playing? I guess how early in your career. And just considering there aren't so, so many super-famous Mexican tennis players, who did you look up to when you kind of first started playing?

RENATA ZARAZUA: Yeah, I mean, obviously I looked up many players, like Serena, Venus, a lot of the players that I watched growing up. But also, in Mexico, yeah, it's probably not the most famous sport. A little bit more like soccer or some other -- I used to do gymnastics before and a little bit of diving, which is a bit more popular in Mexico.

Then I got into tennis just because my brother was playing, and he was, like, I think this is a bit safer sport. So just, that's how I kind of like just got into tennis, because I couldn't do the three of them at the same time.

But, yeah, I think after that, like, I mean, I was just playing with my brother, and I think that kind of got me into it.

Then I started loving it (smiling). Yeah, I was just really happy that I chose to play that sport.

Q. There has actually been a few players from underrepresented countries who have won in the first round here: Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong. Do you have any thoughts on why that is? Is the sport becoming more global? Any thoughts on that?

RENATA ZARAZUA: Yeah, I think definitely tennis is becoming a bit more, like, popular, more global. I would say a lot of people are watching a bit more than before maybe.

They're also doing a great job in the slams and in other tournaments to kind of promote them pretty well. Just making it really nice for the fans, as well. So I think people are really enjoying, like, coming to watch, because it's fun, you're watching a match or having a drink or a snack or whatever with your friends.

So I think it's a lot the tournament, like, people that are running it pretty well lately.

Q. Congratulations. While answering before, you said you did gymnastics at a young age. Can you tell us what events those were. And also, what did you study in college?

RENATA ZARAZUA: Yeah, I didn't go to college. I went to straight pro. I didn't go to -- yeah, well, to college. I was going to say I didn't go to school, but no, I did go to school when I was younger. I should not say that, not like I didn't go. But then I turned pro and I just didn't choose college.

Then I was doing gymnastics when I was a bit younger. I stopped when I was around 15 or so, so I didn't compete, like, really in the bigger leagues or anything. But I was just doing it back in Mexico. And then I moved to the States to live -- yeah, 13 years ago, because I'm 27 now. So I moved when I was, like, 16. That's how I kind of, like, stopped and just focused on tennis.

Q. What was that like for you moving to the States at such a young age? Where did you move initially? I don't know where you moved to now.

RENATA ZARAZUA: Yeah, I first moved to San Antonio, Texas. That's the first city that I went when I left Mexico.

I really, I mean, I love America, so obviously I love Mexico and going back there for a week or two and seeing all my family, my friends. I enjoy it. But then after a while, I think my base now, it's in Florida.

I mean, obviously I still play for Mexico and I love that, but I'm kind of more used to the American lifestyle where it's a bit easier to just practice, do your fitness, and all of that. It's a bit more simple than back in Mexico.

So, yeah, I really like my lifestyle here for what I do. You know, once I retire, I don't know what will happen. Maybe I go back. Maybe not. We'll see (smiling).